U.S. patent number 7,246,711 [Application Number 10/807,365] was granted by the patent office on 2007-07-24 for adjustable shelving unit.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC. Invention is credited to Derek Metcalf.
United States Patent |
7,246,711 |
Metcalf |
July 24, 2007 |
Adjustable shelving unit
Abstract
An adjustable shelving unit that may be adjusted by increasing
or decreasing the width or depth of the unit and may be adjusted to
be in either a horizontal orientation or a forward sloping
orientation. The adjustable shelving unit may include a central
shelf unit and at least one extension shelf unit. The extension
shelf unit may be oriented in a sliding manner with respect to the
central shelf unit to permit the adjustment of the width or depth
of the shelf by extending or retracting the extension shelf unit
with respect to the central shelf unit. Attachment members
extending from the central shelf unit allow the shelf to be mounted
in either a horizontal or a forward sloping orientation.
Inventors: |
Metcalf; Derek (Burr Ridge,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
(Norcross, GA)
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Family
ID: |
38266781 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/807,365 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10699396 |
Oct 30, 2003 |
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10643352 |
Aug 19, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/175;
211/106.01; 211/187; 211/88.02; 211/90.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
45/00 (20130101); A47B 57/045 (20130101); A47B
57/16 (20130101); A47F 5/0093 (20130101); A47F
5/01 (20130101); A47F 5/12 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
5/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;211/175,90.03,106,153,134,133.5,106.01,90.01,90.02,88.01,88.02,187,193,190,207,208,87.01,181.1,126.9,133.2,133.3,195 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 442 398 |
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Aug 1991 |
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EP |
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2 548 529 |
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Nov 1985 |
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FR |
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WO 90/02500 |
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Mar 1990 |
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WO |
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WO 2005/041726 |
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May 2005 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Novosad; Jennifer E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/699,396, filed Oct. 30, 2003 and entitled "Adjustable
Cantilevered Shelf" and also a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/643,352, filed Aug. 19, 2003 and entitled
"Adjustable Shelving System", both of which are herein incorporated
in their entireties by this reference.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An adjustable shelving unit, comprising: (a) a generally planar
shelf, comprising: (i) at least two attachment members extending
from the shelf, the attachment members each comprising a top
mounting rail and a bottom mounting rail; and (ii) an upper
mounting pin extending downwardly from the rear edge of the top
mounting rail and a lower mounting pin extending downwardly from
the rear edge of each bottom mounting rail, the upper and lower
mounting pins being offset, wherein the and the top and bottom
mounting rails and the upper and lower mounting pins comprise a
one-piece wire structure; and (b) a support frame comprising two
vertical members, the vertical members each comprising a plurality
of openings formed in a front receiving surface, at least some of
the openings being substantially evenly spaced apart from one
another; whereby the shelf is mountable to the support frame by
inserting the upper mounting pins in first openings of the
receiving surface and the lower mounting pins are selectively able
to be positioned against the front receiving surface of the
vertical member causing the shelf to be oriented in a substantially
horizontal orientation or inside second openings on the front
receiving surface of the vertical member causing the shelf to be
oriented in a substantially forward sloping orientation, and
wherein the shelf is adapted to have its width or depth increased
by extending or decreased by retracting one portion of the shelf
with respect to another portion of the shelf.
2. The adjustable shelving unit of claim 1, wherein the relative
positioning of the lower pin with respect to the upper pin
determines the angle of forward slope of the shelf.
3. The adjustable shelving unit of claim 1, wherein each of the
upper mounting pin and the lower mounting pin comprises a single
bend.
4. The adjustable shelving unit of claim 1, wherein the front edge
of the shelf bends upward at approximately a right angle and
provides support for displayed items when the shelf is in the
forward sloping orientation.
5. The adjustable shelving unit of claim 1, wherein the front edge
of the shelf comprises a frame for receiving indicia.
6. The adjustable shelving unit of claim 1, wherein the top rail is
longer than the bottom rail.
7. A shelving unit, comprising: (a) a generally planar shelf,
comprising: (i) at least two attachment members extending from the
shelf, the attachment members each comprising a top mounting rail
and a bottom mounting rail; and (ii) an upper mounting pin
extending downwardly from the rear edge of the top mounting rail
and a lower mounting pin extending downwardly from the rear edge of
each bottom mounting rail, the upper and lower mounting pins being
offset; wherein the and the top and bottom mounting rails and the
upper and lower mounting pins comprise a one-piece wire structure;
and (b) a support frame comprising two vertical members, the
vertical members each comprising a plurality of openings formed in
a front receiving surface, at least some of the openings being
substantially evenly spaced apart from one another; whereby the
shelf is mountable to the support frame by inserting the upper
mounting pins in first openings of the receiving surface and the
lower mounting pins are selectively able to be positioned against
the front receiving surface of the vertical member causing the
shelf to be oriented in a substantially horizontal orientation or
inside second openings on the front receiving surface of the
vertical member causing the shelf to be oriented in a substantially
forward sloping orientation.
8. The shelving unit of claim 7, wherein the relative positioning
of the lower pin with respect to the upper pin determines the angle
of forward slope of the shelf.
9. The shelving unit of claim 7, wherein each of the upper mounting
pin and the lower mounting pin comprises a single bend.
10. The shelving unit of claim 7, wherein the front edge of the
shelf bends upward at approximately a right angle and provides
support for displayed items when the shelf is in the forward
sloping orientation.
11. The shelving unit of claim 7, wherein the front edge of the
shelf comprises a frame for receiving indicia.
12. The shelving unit of claim 7, wherein the top rail is longer
than the bottom rail.
Description
RELATIVE FIELD
Embodiments of the present invention relate to adjustable shelving
units for displaying products at retail establishments and, more
particularly, to shelving units adjustable in width and/or depth as
well as between a horizontal display position and a forward sloping
display position.
BACKGROUND
Retailers may desire to use shelving units adaptable into a variety
of configurations for displaying product.
The floor plans of convenience stores and other retail
establishments may vary widely from location to location.
Consequently, the space available for a particular product display
will also vary widely. In such circumstances, it may be desirable
to provide a product display or other type of shelving system that
can be adapted quickly, easily, and/or inexpensively to fit the
available space. Shelving systems including shelves with adjustable
widths and/or depths may be used as product displays that are
quickly, easily, and/or inexpensively tailored to fit the unique
location where they will be used.
Adjustable shelving systems may also be useful when it becomes
necessary to rearrange shelving in a particular location in
response to changing needs, desires, or available space. For
instance, convenience store operators may wish to rearrange product
displays from time to time. Such rearrangement may be needed or
desired in response to changing inventory, the installation of new
equipment, rollout of a new product, or other changes affecting the
amount of space available for a particular display. By using an
adjustable shelving system, store operators may simply adjust the
width and/or depth of the adjustable shelves to maximize the
shelving area available for displaying product while avoiding the
extra time and expense required to reconfigure a non-adjustable
system, add additional product to the display, or purchase or
obtain a new product display.
Previous adjustable shelves, such as the ones disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,332,548 and 6,142,321 both to West and both entitled
`Adjustable Shelving Apparatus,` may be formed from two halves,
slidably joined together by a number of interlocking channel and
groove structures. The channel and groove structures permit the
shelf halves to slide relative to one another such that the widths
of the shelves may be increased or decreased as desired. These
previous shelf structures are limited in several ways, however,
because the shelf structures cannot be adjusted without also
modifying or reconfiguring accompanying structure supporting the
shelf structures. Because both halves of the shelves move during
adjustment, adjustment of the shelves may not be accomplished
without disconnecting the shelves from the accompanying support
structure or modifying the shelf or the support structure.
Moreover, because both halves of the shelves slide relative to each
other, adjustment of the shelves may not be done without disturbing
product displayed on the shelf. Also problematically, previous
adjustable shelves do not provide structures for the placement of
advertisements, pricing information, product identifiers or other
information on the shelf that does not have to be removed or
repositioned during or after adjustment of the shelf width.
Cantilevered display shelves are also a popular and convenient way
to display merchandise in a retail store environment. Typically, a
vertical set of supports allows the shelves to be selectively
positioned in a variety of heights and spacings.
Retailers may prefer to display different types of products in
different orientations. Some products, for example, appear more
enticing and are better displayed on a forward sloping shelf so
that a perspective view of the product is available to the
customer. Other products may preferably be displayed on a flat
horizontal shelf due to varying marketing strategies or logistical
requirements, for example due to product packaging configuration.
Therefore, having an adjustable shelf would allow a retailer to
accommodate both display styles with a single shelving unit. An
adjustable shelf unit would also permit retailers to use the shelf
unit in different configurations at different times to best suit
the product being displayed.
Many existing adjustable display shelves involve complex or
intricate structures to allow the adjustment of the display shelf,
including numerous parts. Such designs make the adjustable shelves
more difficult to produce and use. For example, special tooling may
be required to manufacture the adjustable shelf, and if the
manufacturer desires to change the slope angle of the shelf, the
tooling may need to be readjusted. These tooling and design
considerations add to the expense of such adjustable shelving
units.
Existing adjustable shelf units may be difficult to use. A retailer
desiring to switch a display shelf from a horizontal position to a
forward sloping position may have to make laborious adjustments in
order to do so. This causes increased labor costs for the retailer
who must allot employee hours to make the appropriate adjustments.
Alternatively, the retailer may simply forego the advantage the
adjustable shelf attempts to provide in order to avoid making the
adjustments.
SUMMARY
Various embodiments of the present invention include an adjustable
shelving system including at least one adjustable shelf that
includes a non-moving central portion such that the shelf may be
adjusted without removing the shelf from accompanying support
structure or modifying the shelf or the support structure. In some
embodiments, adjustment of the shelf may be accomplished without
disturbing product or other items located on some portions of the
shelf. Additionally, in some embodiments, the shelf may include
structures for the placement of advertisements, pricing
information, product identifiers or other information on the shelf
that do not have to be removed or modified during or after
adjustment of the shelf width and/or depth.
In various embodiments of the present invention, the shelf's
dimensions may be adjusted by sliding one or more extension shelf
units with respect to a central shelf unit. The extension shelf
units may be slidably connected to the central shelf unit such that
the dimensions of the shelf may be adjusted by sliding the
extension shelf units into or out of the central shelf unit. The
central shelf unit may be secured to a support structure, such as a
wire stand. Consequently, only the extension shelf units, not the
central shelf unit, move relative to the support structure during
adjustment. Because the central shelf unit does not move relative
to the support structure, adjustment of the shelf dimensions does
not require removing the shelf from the support structure.
Additionally, because the central shelf unit does not move relative
to the support structure during adjustment, product located on the
central shelf unit, as well as any product identifiers,
advertisements or other material located on the central shelf unit,
may be undisturbed during shelf adjustment.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an adjustable
shelving unit for horizontal or forward sloping displays. Each
shelf is preferably rectangular. Mounting rails are located on each
side of the shelf. The mounting rails comprise a top rail and a
bottom rail. An upper mounting pin extends from the rear portion of
the top rail and a lower mounting pin extends from the rear portion
of the bottom rail. The top rail is preferably slightly longer than
the bottom rail, causing the upper mounting pin and the lower
mounting pin to be slightly offset.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a
support frame comprises a base and two vertical members connected
at the top by a horizontal member. The vertical members each have a
front receiving surface containing a plurality of equally spaced
apart openings. The shelves can be attached to the support frame
causing the shelf to be either horizontal or forwardly sloping. In
order for the shelves to be horizontal, the upper mounting pins of
a shelf are first placed in first openings of the vertical members.
The lower mounting pins are then placed flush against the front
receiving surface of the vertical members. The offset of the upper
and lower mounting pins causes the shelf to remain in a horizontal
orientation when mounted to the support frame in this manner. If it
is desired for the shelf to be forward sloping, the upper mounting
members are again placed in first openings and the lower mounting
pins are placed in second openings located below the first
openings. Again, due to the offset of the upper and lower mounting
pins, the shelf is sloped forward when mounted in this manner.
Certain embodiments of the present invention allow retailers using
cantilevered display shelves to quickly and easily adjust
individual shelves in order to best display a particular product.
By selectively positioning the lower mounting pins either inside an
opening or flush against the surface of the vertical member, a
retailer can easily adjust the orientation of the shelf to achieve
the desired display effect. The design is easy to use, has minimal
parts needing adjustment, and provides retailers with great
flexibility when displaying product.
Adjustable shelving units, according to embodiments of the present
invention, may be both adjustable in width or depth and adjustable
to horizontal or forward sloping orientations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an adjustable shelving unit in a retracted orientation
according to certain embodiments of the present invention in
perspective view.
FIG. 2 shows a top view of the adjustable shelving unit of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the adjustable shelving unit of FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 shows a front view of the adjustable shelving unit of FIG.
1.
FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the adjustable shelving unit of FIG.
1.
FIG. 6 shows a side view of the adjustable shelving unit of FIG.
1.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the adjustable shelving unit of
FIG. 1 in an extended orientation.
FIG. 8 shows a top view of the adjustable shelving unit of FIG.
7.
FIG. 9 shows an adjustable shelving unit in a retracted orientation
according to certain embodiments of the present invention in
perspective view.
FIG. 10 shows a adjustable shelving unit according to certain
embodiments of the present invention in perspective view.
FIG. 11 shows a rear view of an adjustable shelving unit in an
extended orientation according to certain embodiments of the
present invention.
FIG. 12 shows a top view of the adjustable shelving unit of FIG.
11.
FIG. 13 shows a side view of the adjustable shelving unit of FIG.
12.
FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an adjustable shelving unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of an adjustable shelving unit and
support frame according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing adjustable shelving units in
horizontal and forward sloping orientations according to certain
embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a adjustable shelving unit
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a side view of the adjustable shelving unit shown in
FIG. 17.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a support useable with the
adjustable shelving unit shown in FIG. 17 according to certain
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows an adjustable shelf assembly 10 according to certain
embodiments of the present invention. The adjustable shelf assembly
10 includes a first extension shelf unit 38 and a second extension
shelf unit 64. However, according to other embodiments of the
invention, an adjustable shelf assembly may include only one
extension shelf unit or multiple extension shelf units. As shown in
FIG. 1, first and second extension shelf units 38 and 64 are
slidably secured to a central shelf unit 14. The central shelf unit
14 has a top surface 16, a bottom surface 18, a front edge 20, a
rear edge 22, a first side edge 24 (shown in FIG. 2) and a second
side edge 26. Top surface 16 and bottom surface 18 may be formed
from any desired material. As shown in FIG. 1, the top and bottom
surfaces of central shelf unit 16 and 18 in connection with rails
82 form a wire grid. As shown in FIG. 1, portions of the first and
second extension shelf units 38 and 64 are located between the top
and bottom surfaces of central shelf unit 16 and 18. In some
embodiments, the central shelf unit does not have a bottom surface.
In those embodiments, portions of the one or more extension shelf
units are preferably located underneath the top surface of the
central shelf unit.
As shown in FIG. 2, first extension shelf unit 38 has a support
surface 40, a front edge 42 (shown in FIG. 7), a rear edge 44, a
distal side 48 and a proximate side 90. The distal side of the
first extension shelf unit 48 is located distal to the central
shelf unit 14 relative to the proximate side 90. Support surface 40
may be formed from any desired material. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2, support surface 40 is formed from bent wire.
As shown in FIG. 2, second extension shelf unit 64 has a support
surface 66, a front edge 68 (shown in FIG. 7), a rear edge 70, a
distal side 74 and a proximate side 92. The distal side of the
second extension shelf unit 74 is located distal to the central
shelf unit 14 relative to the proximate side 92. Support surface 66
may be formed from any desired material. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 2, support surface 66 is formed from bent wire.
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 10, the width of the adjustable
shelf assembly 10 may be adjusted by sliding the first extension
shelf unit 38 and/or the second extension shelf unit 64 relative to
the central shelf unit 14. Extending either the first or second
extension shelf units 38 or 64 relative to the central shelf unit
14 increases the width of the adjustable shelf assembly 10.
Retracting either the first or second extension shelf units 38 or
64 relative to the central shelf unit 14 decreases the width of the
adjustable shelf assembly 10. FIGS. 1 6 and 9 show an adjustable
shelf assembly 10 in a fully retracted orientation. FIGS. 7 and 8
show an adjustable shelf assembly 10 in a fully extended
orientation.
Adjustable shelf assembly 10 may be created in any desired
dimensions. In certain embodiments, adjustable shelf assembly 10 is
fully adjustable between widths of 9 and 14 inches. Such a size is
preferred for countertop product displays proximate to a point of
sale or proximate to various dispensers including coffee or soda
machines. However, adjustable shelf assembly 10 may have larger
dimensions. Larger dimensioned shelves may be desired for large
product displays or for accompanying large items such as coolers.
Larger dimensioned shelves may also be desirable in other types of
retail establishments.
In other embodiments of the present invention, an adjustable shelf
assembly may include an extension shelf unit slidably oriented with
respect to a central shelf unit such that the depth of the
adjustable shelf assembly may be increased or decreased by
extending or retracting the extension shelf unit with respect to
the central shelf unit. Such extension shelf unit permitting depth
adjustment may be formed and may function in a similar manner to
extension shelf units 38 and 64 depicted in FIG. 1. In still other
embodiments, an adjustable shelf assembly may include extension
shelf units for adjusting width as well as extension shelf units
for adjusting depth.
As shown in FIG. 1, when first and second extension shelf units 38
and 64 are in a retracted orientation, interlocking members 50 and
76 of the first and second extension shelf units 38 and 64
interlock with one another. Interlocking members 50 and 76 are
formed from portions of the support surfaces of first and second
extension shelf units 40 and 66. Interlocking members 50 and 76 may
be formed from any suitable material into any suitable shape. As
shown in FIG. 1, interlocking members 50 and 76 are formed into
fingers from bent wire. The interlocking members 50 and 76 are
staggered relative to each other such that portions of the first
and second extension shelf units 38 and 64 may interlock with one
another when in a retracted orientation. As shown in FIG. 1,
extension and retraction of first and second extension shelf units
38 and 64 are guided by the sliding interaction of interlocking
members 50 and 76. Additionally, extension and retraction may be
guided by the sliding interaction of interlocking members 50 and 76
with guide rails 82.
As shown in FIG. 3, central shelf unit 14 may include stops 28
downwardly extending from a portion of the top surface 16. Stops 28
are oriented to interact with interior tip portions of first and
second extension shelf units 52 and 78 when first and second
extension shelf units 38 and 64 are fully extended. Interior tip
portions of first and second extension shelf units 52 and 78 are
located proximate to the proximate sides of first and second
extension shelf units 90 and 92 respectively. Stops 28 may be
formed from any suitable material into any suitable shape. As shown
in FIG. 3, stops 28 may be metal rivets. In other embodiments,
stops 28 are not necessary, rather other portions of an adjustable
shelf assembly may prevent further extension once an extension
shelf unit is fully extended.
As shown in FIG. 1, the central shelf unit includes attachment
members 60. Attachment members 60 may be of any suitable shape and
formed from any suitable material. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
1, attachment members 60 are hooks formed from bent wire extending
from the central shelf unit rear edge 22. As shown in FIG. 10,
attachment members 60 permit adjustable shelf assembly to be
secured to a support structure 62. Support structure 62 may be any
suitable structure capable of supporting adjustable shelf assembly
10, such as a wire rack, a power wing, a peg board, a wall mounted
bracket or any other appropriate structure. As shown in FIG. 10,
support structure 62 may be a rack formed from bent wire. Although
only one adjustable shelf assembly 10 is depicted in FIG. 10, it
should be readily understood that multiple adjustable shelf
assemblies 10 may be secured to a single support structure 62.
As shown in FIG. 9, the adjustable shelf assembly 10 may include
structure for receiving a flexible member 80, such as a product
identifier, price listing, advertisement or any other desired
matter. As shown in FIG. 9, a front member 32 on central shelf unit
14 includes an upper lip 34 and a lower lip 36. Upper and lower
lips 34 and 36 are formed into channels suitable for slidably
receiving an appropriately sized flexible member 80. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 9, adjustable shelf assembly 10 also
includes first and second side members 54 and 84 secured to first
and second extension shelf units 38 and 64 respectively. FIG. 9
shows first and second side members 54 and 84, which are preferably
L-shaped and secured to the front and distal side edges of first
and second extension shelf units 42, 48, 68 and 74 respectively.
First and second side members 54 and 84 are coupled in a sliding
manner to front member 32 such that extension and retraction of
first and second extension shelf units 38 and 64 is not
substantially inhibited. First and second side members 54 and 84
include upper and lower lips 56, 58, 86 and 88 respectively such
that the same, or different, flexible members 80 may be inserted
into the channels formed by the lips 56, 58, 86 and 88.
As shown in FIGS. 11 13, the adjustable shelf assembly 10 may
comprise a rear member 94 in addition to front member 32. Rear
member 94 may be formed and shaped similarly to front member 32,
and may interact with first and second side members 54 and 84 in a
similar fashion as first and second side members 54 and 84 interact
with front member 32. The rear member 94 may receive the same, or a
different, flexible member as front member 32. The rear member 94
on central shelf unit 14 includes an upper lip 96 and a lower lip
98. The upper and lower lips 96 and 98 are formed into channels
suitable for slidably receiving an appropriately sized flexible
member 80. In some of the embodiments that include the rear member
94, the side members 54 and 84 are preferably C-shaped, rather than
L-shaped. The first and second side members 54 and 84 are slidably
coupled to rear member 32 such that extension and retraction of
first and second extension shelf units 38 and 64 is not
substantially inhibited.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an adjustable
cantilevered shelf 110. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the adjustable
cantilevered shelf 110 comprises a top surface 130. The top surface
130 is bounded by two side edges 132 and 136, a front edge 134, and
a rear edge 138. The top surface 130 is intended to receive
merchandise or other items for display. According to certain
embodiments of the present invention, the shelf 110 is formed from
lengths of parallel spaced solid cylindrical metal rods and
transverse spaced solid cylindrical rods forming a grid-like
arrangement. One skilled in the art would understand that the shelf
may be made from other suitable material if desired.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the
shelf 110 comprises a pair of mounting rails 140. One mounting rail
140 extends from either side of the shelf. According to the certain
embodiments of the present invention, each mounting rail is formed
by a single length of wire and is part of the cylindrical metal
rods forming the shelf. The single wire design allows for efficient
and simple manufacturing of the mounting rail and a minimum number
of adjustable parts. Each mounting rail 140 comprises a top rail
161 and a bottom rail 162. An upper mounting pin 142 and a lower
mounting pin 144 extend from the rear portion of the top rail and
bottom rail respectively. The upper mounting pin 142 and lower
mounting pin 144 preferably extend downwardly from the rear edge of
the mounting rail, thereby forming a single bend. The single bend
is preferably substantially a right angle according to certain
embodiments of the present invention. The top rail is preferably
slightly longer than the bottom rail causing the upper mounting pin
and lower mounting pin to be slightly offset from one another. That
is, the upper mounting pin is positioned slightly more rearwardly
than the lower mounting pin. This allows the shelf to be adjustable
as will be described further.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the
front edge 134 of the shelf 110 is bent upwards at substantially a
right angle. Products placed on the shelf may rest against the
front edge of the shelf, particularly when the shelf is oriented at
an angle. The front edge 134 is therefore configured to provide
support to displayed items when the shelf is in a forward sloping
position. According to certain embodiments, the front edge 134
comprises an elongated frame 133. The elongated frame 133
preferably extends the length of the front edge 134 of the shelf.
The elongated frame is preferably configured to receive advertising
or other indicia along the front edge 134 of the shelf 110.
Certain aspects of the present invention comprise a support frame
120. The support frame is preferably generally U-shaped according
to certain embodiments of the present invention. The support frame
comprises a base surface 150 having an upper surface 156 and a
bottom surface (not shown). Wheels 155 may preferably be attached
to the bottom surface of the base to facilitate movement of the
support frame according to certain embodiments of the present
invention.
The display frame, according to certain embodiments of the present
invention, comprises two vertical members 151, 152 extending upward
from each side of the base 150. The two vertical members are
connected by a horizontal member 153 that extends between the top
of each vertical member. Each vertical member comprises a front
receiving surface 121. The front receiving surface 121 of the
vertical members contain a plurality of receiving openings 172. The
openings are preferably evenly spaced along the front receiving
surface.
The shelf 110 may be attached to the support frame 120 and placed
in the retail establishment to display product for sale. To secure
the shelf to the display frame, each upper mounting pin 142 of the
mounting rail 140 is placed inside first openings 122, 123 in the
front receiving surface 121 of the display frame. The first
openings are each located on one of the vertical members and are at
the same vertical location. The placement of the lower mounting pin
144 with respect to the front receiving surface 121 determines the
orientation of the shelf 110. If a horizontal, substantially flat
orientation of the shelf 110 is desired, the lower mounting pin 144
is placed flush against the front receiving surface 121 of the
receiving structure 120. The lower mounting pin therefore simply
rests against the front receiving surface 121. Due to the offset of
the upper mounting pins and the lower mounting pins, the lower
mounting pin can rest against the front receiving surface and
resist downward forces acting on the shelf when product is placed
on the shelf. It should be understood that the amount of offset of
the upper mounting pin and the lower mounting pin is preferably
approximately equal to the thickness of the front receiving
surface.
If it is desired to orient the shelf at a forward sloping angle,
each of the lower mounting pins are placed into second openings
124, 125 in the front receiving surface 121, located below the
first opening as shown in FIG. 16. The second openings are located
at the same vertical location on each vertical member of the
display frame.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the
openings in the front receiving surface 121 are equally spaced
along the front receiving surface such that any two receiving
openings may be utilized as the first and second openings 122, 123,
124 and 125. It should also be understood that the shelf may be
attached to a standard peg board and used in the same manner as
described above to achieve various orientations.
The manufacturer may adjust the degree of the forward slope of the
shelf by adjusting the relative position of the lower mounting pin
144 with respect to the upper mounting pin 142. Because the upper
and lower mounting pins 142 and 144 are each formed by a single
bend in respective ends of a single length of wire that comprises
the mounting rail 140, the relative positioning of the upper
mounting pin 142 and lower mounting pin 144 may be easily adjusted
without additional tooling and significant changes in the
manufacturing process.
FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of an adjustable shelving unit that
combines an adjustable width or depth feature and an adjustable
forward sloping or horizontal feature. The adjustable shelving unit
200 shown in FIG. 17 may include a central shelf unit 202, a first
extension shelf unit 204 and a second extension shelf unit 206. The
first and second shelf units 204, 206 may be oriented in a sliding
manner with respect to the central shelf unit 202 such that a user
may increase the width of the unit 200 by extending and decrease
the width of the unit 200 by retracting the first or second shelf
units 204, 206 with respect to the central shelf unit 202. The
central shelf unit 202, first extension shelf unit 204 and second
extension shelf unit 206 may be formed, assembled and used in a
similar manner to the central shelf unit, first extension shelf
unit and second extension shelf unit shown in FIG. 1 and described
above.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, attachment members 208
extend from the central shelf unit 202 and permit the adjustable
shelving unit 200 to be secured to a suitable support, such as the
support shown in FIG. 19, in alternatively a horizontal position or
a forward sloping position. The attachment members 208 may be
formed of similar materials and function similarly to the
attachment members shown in FIG. 16 and described above.
Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be made to
the structures recited above and shown in the drawings without
departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
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